The Ultimate Guide to Shower Gels

Discover what shower gel is, its benefits, and the proper way to use it to maintain healthy, clean skin. Learn the differences between shower gel and body wash, and find tips on choosing the best product for your skin type.

Shower gel has long been seen as a convenient alternative to bar soap. It cleanses your skin in the shower, washing away excess oil and impurities.

It comes in many different formulas and scents to suit your skin’s needs and your own preferences – whether you battle dry skin, sensitive skin, or oily skin with body acne.

In this article, we’ll cover what shower gel is, how to use it, and our recommendations for the ideal shower gel formula for your skin type.

February 20^th, 2025

From BIOTHERM

What is shower gel?

Shower gel is a liquid body soap that’s used for cleansing the skin on your body (apart from your face). It usually comes in gel-like formula for easy lathering and application. Shower gel bottles often have a squeezy tube or pump for fast application.

Shower gels are made with synthetic detergents that come from petroleum or plant sources – whereas body soap bars are formulated with saponified oils to cleanse.

Shower gel vs. body wash

You hear these two names often used interchangeably when talking about a liquid bottled body. They do have some subtle differences – shower gels tend to be more gel-like formulas, whereas body washes are more fluid and sometimes creamier.

Benefits of using shower gel

Many people prefer using shower gel rather than body soap for these three reasons:

Hygienic packaging

Shower gels are packaged in squeeze bottles or have pumps for dispensing. This can be more hygienic than a bar soap that is exposed to contamination after being opened and used.

Formulas for different skin types

Shower gels come in a larger variety of formulas, so you’re more likely to find one that best suits your skin type. Because of their liquid formula, manufacturers can be more flexible with adding active ingredients, moisturizing variants, and exfoliators.

Enhanced showering experience

Shower gels are a pleasure to use, adding a wonderful sensory experience to your shower routine. They can feel smooth and luxurious upon application, foam up in a satisfying way, and be infused with refreshing or comforting scents.

How to use shower gel to get clean and smell great

It’s very easy to incorporate shower gel to your bathing routine – its use is flexible and doesn’t require a lot of thought. That being said, for the best results, follow this guide to learn how to use shower gel most effectively:

1. First start by wetting your skin thoroughly in the shower, ensuring that all areas of the body are completely wet.
2. Then apply a quarter-sized amount of shower gel to your applicator of choice – a loofah, washcloth, sponge, or your own hands.
3. Work up a rich lather by rubbing the loofah or your hands together to foam up the shower gel and ensure even application.
4. Gently scrub the shower gel on your skin in circular motions, moving from one area of your body to the next.
5. Your shower gel can be immediately rinsed off your skin after application – there’s no need to let it sit on the skin.
6. After finishing your shower and patting dry with a towel, finish off with a body moisturizer or lotion to lock in moisture.

And that’s it! Follow this routine step-by-step on a daily basis to maintain clean, healthy skin on your body.

How to choose the right shower gel for your skin type

As we mentioned before, shower gels come in lots of different formulas to suit different skin types. It’s important that you choose one that suits your skin concerns to see the most benefit. Keep reading to find out what ingredients you should look for in your shower gel.

For dry skin

If you have dry skin that feels tight or flaky, opt for a hydrating shower gel. Look for ultra-moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, coconut oil, and other natural oils. These shower gel formulas will gently cleanse your skin without stripping away moisture. This Lait De Douche Cleansing Shower Milk is a nourishing option.

For oily skin

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, choose a shower gel that’s specially formulated to prevent or fix body acne. Look for purifying ingredients such as salicylic acid and tea tree oil to keep excess oil at bay and clear up active breakouts. Biotherm’s Eau Pure Shower Gel is a refreshing choice.

For sensitive skin

If your skin is sensitive and reactive, look for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic shower gels that won’t trigger rashes or redness. You can also look for additional soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile in the formulas. This Oil Therapy Huile de Douche shower gel is a protective option.

For men: Biotherm Homme shower gels

At Biotherm Homme, our bioscience expertise is committed towards safe, potent, more sustainable & more natural skincare adapted to men's skin. Using advanced technologies & high-end textures, we infuse into every skincare the unique properties of carefully-sourced water-life ingredients, like Biotech Plankton probiotic fraction amplified by bioscience.

If you need a moisturizing shower gel specially designed for men you can opt for Aquapower Shower gel that gently cleanses body and hair by eliminating toxins and impurities leaves a powerful sensation of hydration and intense freshness on the skin. A second optioncan be our Basic Line Shower Gel that cleanses the skin without aggressing or drying it. This moisturizing shower gel formula leaves the skin soft.

In order to suit all the concerns we also propose refreshing shower gel that can be yourtrue friends after long working days or big efforts such as sport sessions. Our Aquafitness Shower Gel is a hair and body shower gel for men that refreshes & revitalizes the skin immediately. If you are searching for an even more refreshing sensation our Day Control In-Shower Deodorant can be perfect for you, in fact this refreshing shower gel with a 24H deodorant effect provides a long-lasting action. Its formula leaves the skin squeaky-clean and fresh-feeling.

All in all, shower gels are a great option for daily hygiene, cleansing the skin while providing skincare benefits. Keep in mind to look for shower gels that will suit your skin type for the best experience.